It was an unusual sight on this International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action in southern Lebanon – the UN Mine Action Support Team manager in sport head gear and clothes roller-skiing on the road along the Mediterranean coast.

But Michael Hands, UNMAST's Programme Manager, wanted to do something unique to raise awareness about the scourge of mines and unexploded remnants of war which continue to claim lives. So he roller-skied early morning 4 April from the city of Tyr to UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura, an 18-kilometre, two-hour journey uphill and downhill along the coastal road.

"I am very happy that I made a small contribution to the thousands in the world that are celebrating mine awareness day," he said in an interview at the finish line.

The trip's two-hour duration is enough time for two people to lose their legs to explosions, Mr. Hands pointed out. "Every two hours, somebody loses their legs in mine blowing. In 2010, there was 4,191 people reported that stepped on land mines, but there are far more that do not get reported."

Curious residents and motorists watched as Mr. Hands made his way to Naqoura under a warm spring morning. At the finish line, he was all smiles but quiet stiff, as he put it. UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major-General Paolo Serra greeted him with an applause and praise. "You did a great job. You were very fast. Well done," the Force Commander said.

UNIFIL observed the occasion with a ceremony at headquarters that marked the 200th point de-mined on the Blue Line. Speaking at the ceremony, the Force Commander honoured the UNIFIL de-mining teams and paid tribute to the de-miners and Lebanese civilians who lost their lives or were injured by mines and unexploded ordnance. Major-General Serra underlined the importance of visibly marking the Line of Withdrawal (Blue Line), saying completion of the process "will reduce the potential for incidents and tensions in the area.(Press release full text)

Mr. Hands, who started roller skiing in 1997, said that as a Programme Manager at UNMAST, his main role is to support his team in enabling UNFIL de-mining on the Blue Line, in addition to overseeing training and validation of their work to make sure it is done according to the international mine action standards.

His roller-skiing initiative is part of the UN-led "Lend-your-Leg" global campaign to stop the damage landmines still causes while showing solidarity with all survivors of landmines and other explosive remnants of war.

Mr. Hand's goal is to join the efforts by people all over the world that are marking the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. "Although we have a ban treaty in place there are still people getting blown up on mines."

He said mines and unexploded ordnance remnants of war remain a big problem in southern Lebanon that needs to be tackled, he said.

"The Lebanese authorities have done a fantastic job along with the Lebanese Mine Action Centre, but there is still work to be done, so we need to raise people's awareness and funding, too," Mr. Hands added.

When asked about his next challenge and whether he will try roller skiing next year from Beirut to Naqoura - a journey of about 110 kilometres - Mr. Hands replied amusingly: "If I am able, why not. However, I am almost 50 so maybe I should give it to younger men."

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